Week 17
Decisions Decisions
On the Monday I read Deb’s post and quickly decided I didn’t need to blog about making decisions that week. All week that decision haunted me and many times I nearly did a quick blog to explain why I hadn’t blogged. I really didn’t feel I needed to!
I think what happened though is I was finding it hard to fight a routine I have set up for myself over the last 17 weeks. I still commented on blogs as I found time and read some really moving blogs this week on the decision topic which made my heart break. There were some real moments of clarity and ‘big picture’ ideas that made me realise I am doing great and I have something to offer others!
Week 18
P – R – O – C – R – A – S – T – I – N – A – T - I – O – N
I’m a physical procrastinator! You know the type. I either do tons of housework to avoid bookwork, sit at the computer chatting away to avoid housework (especially if your back it turned). And I think the biggest problem is I work best under pressure. At school I would study the night before an exam, at uni pull all nighters (with a small child still to look after) to hand in a great assignment, now I clean because you know someone is actually coming!
Lately I have been procrastinating mainly about little things. Becoming a blogger (love calling myself that…..mother, housewife and blogger….) I had been avoiding housework to get on the computer early because being in WA we can miss the cool stuff going on over east. But this last week I have been trying a new tactic. I try and blog late at night – then it might be the first thing people from the East read and then while I have a cup of tea in bed in the morning I did a quick check of the ‘news’ on my phone or the kids Ipad. Then I try to stay away from the computer until after 9am. I feel like I’m keeping up and not putting things off until they don’t get done at all.
The other things I procrastinate about are the things where I worry about what other people will think. Today I have typed up a short note about uniforms (I am the uniform lady at our very small school). I have just taken this role on and I’m going to do order for the first time. How ridiculous is it that I feel this way. I know everyone, we have a new student who needs uniforms! But I have given myself a deadline – tomorrow. Gives me a chance to still procrastinate a little but also get the job done!
What has also worked for me over the last few weeks is my list making. Making a list of the top things I NEED to get completed. Keeping the notebook on the bench has worked well. I also have been tying it back to my goals – especially about having a tidy home, it makes me feel happier when it is so that knowing the end feeling makes it easier not to procrastinate!
How did you go with this weeks task. Are you a physical procrastinator or are you one that actually pretends to forget all together so as to avoid something?
It isn’t too late for you to link up with Deb and her Simplify Your Life Challenge for 2012.
{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
Hi Annaleise,
I also work best under pressure! I have to keep inviting people over as it makes me want to keep my house clean
This week the challenge for me is quite easy, in that I don’t procrastinate too much… I consider the time I do spend on the computer my down time, rather than procrastination because lucky for me I don’t tend to wander off aimlessly – I read what I want to read, comment on FB to people I want to keep in touch with overseas and upload photos so friends and family can be updated – find it the quickest way. I am pleased that I have never turned on the TV at all during the day when the kids were napping. I tend to enjoy moving, pottering and having my music on instead – maybe I’ll try and do a post that can offer tips as well…. You should go for it blogging – plenty to say about life in WA xxx
I use facebook a bit like you. I like to keep in touch with people and FB is easy as you don’t have to worry about ringing when the kids are screaming or waking someone up – plus the photos are easier to up load for my family to see.
While I’m not working much this year I am having a go at the blogging thing. Makes me feel more like a woman with something to say than just a Mum. And your right WA is a great place to be!
I tend to need the time pressure myself (90% of the SYL posts have been written on Sunday night no matter how many times I say I want to get ahead on them – when i try to do it on Tuesday it does not click as fast). The trick though is keeping the line clear so the stress is not greater – if i know the deadline and cut it close but know it is achievable then i think it would kill me (in this case i have all my notes already on the topics so i just have to shape it into a post each week which is doable). it sounds like you have do-able deadlines too…
Great to hear you’re a non-procrastinator. I’m also good under pressure, however I’m trying to change my approach to this and start big projects and tasks a little earlier. Please do post on tips for procrastinators – I’d love to read it.
I’m definately a physical procrastinator. I’m putting off doing the dishes right now by reading your blog;-) But I did promise myself this afternoon off house stuff. I find bargaining with myself works – I can do X when I’ve done Y off my list. It seems to have worked this week. I’m like you in that I listen to music rather than watch TV, and get alot more done in the process!
I am definitely a physical procrastinator and I am also using lists to help me. Lots of need vs want thinking going on over here! I work best under pressure as well but I’m seeing the benefit of finding the easy way out lately and that has been to make a list and get the most important things done first. Then I can actually relax and enjoy my procrastination time!